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Friedman wins Democratic Senate primary

By Rick Sobey, rsobey@lowellsun.com

Updated:
06/27/2017 10:39:41 PM EDT

Billerica resident David Crusco congratulates Cindy Friedman at the Masonic Temple in Arlington after her victory Tuesday night in the Democratic Primary to succeed the late Ken Donnelly in the state Senate.ÊÊ
sun/rick sobey

BILLERICA -- The expected successor for the late Sen. Ken Donnelly knows his policies like the back of her hand.

Cindy Friedman, Donnelly's former chief of staff, topped the weak-turnout Democratic primary for the 4th Middlesex Senate District on Tuesday, making her the easy favorite for the general election next month.

There was no Republican candidate. Friedman will face Green-Rainbow candidate Ian Jackson in the July 25 general election. The district includes Billerica, Burlington, Arlington, Woburn and parts of Lexington.

"If you are measured by the quality of your friends, I am unbelievably rich, and I cannot thank you enough," she added.

Lexington was a major difference in Tuesday's primary. Friedman received 1,875 votes in the Lexington precincts, compared to Garballey's 288.

"And then God made Lexington, and all is right with the world," Friedman said at her party.

She thanked Lexington Rep. Jay Kaufman for his support in those precincts.

"It was unwavering, it was amazing, so I owe you so much," Friedman said to Kaufman in front of the crowd.

"We have a lot of work to do," she added in her victory speech.

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"We have lots of fights to fight."

Garballey conceded a few minutes after 9 p.m. at the Sons of Italy Lodge down the street in Arlington.

"I have never run for political office to be somebody. I've always ran to do something, to try to make people's lives better, and that's what I've done the past 9 years," Garballey said.

Stewart serves on the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. She said she "enthusiastically" supports Friedman as the next state senator.

"I'm grateful for all my supporters and all the volunteers, and all the people who believed in me by giving me their vote," she said in a statement. "The campaign is over but I'll continue to be an effective advocate for the people of the district and the commonwealth."

The summer primary, a week before July 4, had a very low turnout of 11.7 percent across the district.

The highest was in Arlington with 24.6 percent, while the lowest was in Billerica with 4.9 percent.

Fifty-seven Billerica residents had voted in Precinct 6 at the Dutile School by 4:40 p.m., less than 4 percent.

Claire O'Brien voted there, saying she cast a ballot for Garballey because he's against the soda tax.

"It'd be a tax on poor people, which he said at the debate," O'Brien said. "We need a little common sense like that."

Another woman who did not want to reveal her name said she voted for Friedman "because she's a woman," she whispered.

Outside Burlington High School, Eileen Sickler said she voted for Friedman.

"More women need to be involved in politics," Sickler said.

Friedman raised more money during the campaign, and had a very active social media presence.

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